Bay Area Creators Step Up

Discover how the Bay Area creator economy is supporting LA wildfire victims, upcoming events, like Silicon Valley Video Summit, and more in our first newsletter issue of 2025.

Hello, Bay Area Creator Economy!

Welcome to our first newsletter issue of 2025. We're thrilled to bring you the latest updates, trends, and events from the creator economy—not just in the Bay Area and Silicon Valley, but across the broader creator economy landscape. Whether you're a seasoned creator or just starting out, or someone building for and supporting creators behind the scenes, this is your go-to destination for all things “creator”.

If you’re new here and received this newsletter from a friend, we invite you to subscribe to stay updated and get future editions delivered directly to your inbox. If you’ve received this newsletter, then you are either subscribed or someone forwarded it to you.

As we kick off the new year, we’re saddened to see our friends, family, colleagues, and members of this community impacted by the devastating multiple fires in Los Angeles that have left our neighboring community in crisis. For our main story, we talk about the outpouring of support from the Bay Area creator community that we have seen for those directly impacted by the wildfires.  

We’re also excited to bring you more opportunities to connect, learn, and grow. One such highlight is the chance to attend the upcoming Silicon Valley Video Summit for free. If you’re interested, be sure to complete the survey linked below—if selected, we’d love to have you join us there.

It’s been a busy start to the year for some of our co-founders. While Jim and Rachel have been programming the 1 Billion Followers Summit in Dubai, Cassandra is joining them after wrapping up at CES, which France also just attended. 

While we're still finalizing plans, we’re excited to host our next community event soon. Stay tuned for exciting updates and opportunities to connect, engage, and mingle with creators and industry leaders in the near future. We have some fun things planned for this year!

Cheers,
Cassandra, Jim, France, Monica & Rachel
The Bay Area Creator Economy Co-Founders 

MAIN STORY

Bay Area Responds: Helping Southern California in the Wake of the Wildfires 

France Tantiado, Contributor

We are deeply saddened by the devastation caused by the LA wildfires, which have destroyed homes, displaced families, and upended lives. As our friends, neighbors, and colleagues face profound loss and uncertainty, we hold them in our thoughts and remain committed to offering our support in every way possible.

We also want to express our deepest gratitude to the brave firefighters and first responders who are risking their lives to protect others. Their unwavering commitment and courage during this crisis remind us of the power of community and resilience.

Additionally, we’re inspired by the ways our Bay Area community has stepped up to help. Here are some of the incredible efforts making a difference:

  • Bay Area Creators: On Sunday, Bay Area creators Jessi Caparella (@jessiinsanfrancisco | @maisonjessi), a photographer and content creator, and Natalie Marshall, known as Corporate Natalie for her corporate lifestyle and work-from-home humor, organized a clothing and toiletries drive in Emeryville to support Southern California wildfire victims. Partnering with the nonprofit We Love L.A., they gathered enough donations to fill a 26-foot truck, aiding 65 families. The event showcased the power of social media and community in responding to those in need. (KRON)


    Jessi Caparella & Natalie Marshall’s clothing and toiletries drive on Sunday, January 12th, at Trader Vics, Emeryville.

  • Bay Area Restaurants: Chefs and restaurant owners, such as chef Anthony Salguero of Popoca, are donating proceeds from specific menu items toward fire relief efforts, demonstrating the local culinary community’s commitment to supporting those affected.

  • Bay Area Companies: Airbnb: Headquartered in San Francisco, Airbnb has offered housing to displaced victims, showcasing the platform’s role in providing shelter during emergencies. The Gap has donated apparel to those in need through the American Red Cross, ensuring that families affected by the fires have access to essential items Uber and Lyft have both stepped up by providing transportation support for evacuees, offering rides and discounts to those affected by the fires. Instacart is waiving the delivery fee on all grocery and daily essentials orders of $10 or more for customers in Los Angeles County.

If you’re looking for ways to support those affected, consider donating to trusted organizations making a real impact, including:

Even small contributions can make a meaningful difference. Visit the official websites and fundraisers started for these organizations to learn how you can help rebuild and bring hope to those in need.

If you can’t donate, consider the power of sharing a fundraiser – research shows that every time an organizer shares their fundraiser, it can help drive an additional $100 toward their goal on average.

And, of course, if you feel so inclined, you can use platforms, like GoFundMe, to start a fundraiser for yourself, someone you know, or on behalf of a nonprofit. 

With all the options available, there are so many ways to help – together, we can support Southern California and make a lasting impact in the wake of this tragedy.

Upcoming events

Inside the Bay Area

JANUARY

January 16 - February 2, 2025
SF Sketchfest, San Francisco

January 21st
Founders & Influencers SF meetup, San Francisco >> Join our co-founder Monica Khan who is slated to attend. 

January 28th
COMMUNITY PICK! Silicon Valley Video Summit, Mountain View

Video is revolutionizing the way companies communicate, connect, and create—and Silicon Valley is at the forefront of this innovation. We’re thrilled to invite interested members of the Bay Area Creator Economy community to explore this dynamic future at the Silicon Valley Video Summit (SVVS)! It’s where you’ll get the exclusive opportunity to see Reid Hoffman’s digital twin deliver his first AI keynote 👀

Best of all, it's completely free for selected Bay Area Creator Economy members, chosen based on their survey responses.

📅 Event Date: January 28, 2025
📍 Location: Computer History Museum, 1401 N Shoreline Blvd, Mountain View, CA 94043

This one-day event will feature cutting-edge tools, technologies, and strategies that are  shaping enterprise media. To ensure this event aligns with your interests and goals, we’d love your input. Please take a moment to complete this short survey

If you’re interested in attending and believe you could benefit from this experience, please fill out this survey. Your responses will help us vet attendees and match the event to those whom we believe will gain the most value.

 Thank you for sharing your thoughts! Your feedback helps us connect the right creators with exciting opportunities like this one.

Beyond the Bay Area

JANUARY

January 19th
Content Creator Workshop, Los Angeles >> A 3-hour workshop focusing on growth, strategy, and monetization for content creators. Hosted by Kali Scott from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM PST at The Broadwater Second Stage (6320 Santa Monica Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90038).

FEBRUARY

February 4-5
COMMUNITY PICK! Creator Economy Live, Las Vegas >> If you’re looking to network with all the BIGGEST enterprise and challenger brands, generate over 500 leads, and learn from industry experts, then check out this influencer marketing event in Las Vegas! Join our co-founder Monica Khan, along with brands like PepsiCo, Fenty, Disney, Google, Playboy, Duolingo, Michaels, Paramount, Kimberly-Clark, MGM Resorts, and hundreds more! AND, as a valued newsletter subscriber, we’re giving you an exclusive 20% off your ticket!

Have an event you’d like us to include here? If so, please send the event URL to community@bayareacreatoreconomy.com.

Community News

  • San Francisco influencers are preparing for a potential TikTok ban in the U.S., which could take effect by January 19 if the platform doesn't sever ties with its Chinese parent company, Bytedance (Axios)

  • Bay Area-based Shadi Nayyer, former Head of Creator Programs and Community at TikTok, teams up with Amanda Ma, CEO and Founder of Innovate Marketing Group, to explore the evolution of creators and the future of creator marketing in 2025 (Audacity)

Jobs

Have a job you’d like us to include here? Send the job posting URL to community@bayareacreatoreconomy.com.

“Hella Bay Area” Creator Pick

We’re thrilled to feature Anna Brown, the powerhouse behind @annatwinsies!

With two sets of twins, Anna’s life is nothing short of extraordinary—and she lets us in on the fun, chaos, and joy through her vibrant content on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. From school drop-offs to chic date nights, Anna’s feed is a perfect blend of humor, heart, and style. How does she do it all? With a glamorous flair that never falters, even while juggling the whirlwind of family life. Whether it's her hilarious parenting moments or her impeccably color-coordinated kids, Anna’s content radiates relatability and charm.

 Follow her journey as she shows us how to balance it all—with laughter, love, and a whole lot of style.

Are you interested in contributing to the community or sponsoring an event? 

Email us at community@bayareacreatoreconomy.com